Texans open 2018 season at New England

Cornerback Jonathan Jones, right, and the Patriots will host the Texans in their season opener Sept. 9.

Cornerback Jonathan Jones, right, and the Patriots will host the...

The NFL has saddled the Texans with a treacherous start to the 2018 regular season, scheduling them with consecutive road games against New England (Sept. 9) and Tennessee (Sept. 16) before they play at NRG Stadium.

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The Texans play three of their first four games on the road. By the time they finish their first seven games, they will have played each AFC South opponent — Jacksonville, Tennessee and Indianapolis — away from home.

In 2017, they played their three division games on the road in December and lost them all.

Because the Texans finished in the AFC South basement last season, they play a last-place schedule. Only five opponents — New England, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Buffalo and Philadelphia — made the playoffs last season.

The Texans play both Super Bowl teams. In addition to their opening road game at New England, they play the Eagles at Philadelphia on Dec. 23.

Their other game against the NFC East is at Washington on Nov. 18.

After traveling to Seattle and Los Angeles to play the Rams last season, the farthest west they get is Denver on Nov. 4, with Case Keenum expected to be the Broncos’ starting quarterback.

Interestingly, the Texans have games against teams that have the top five picks in next week’s NFL draft: the Cleveland Browns, Giants, Jets, Colts and Broncos.

All but Indianapolis could be taking quarterbacks with their first-round picks.